"Now there's a convenient way to manage your passwords without having to remember them. The Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader lets you log on to your PC, acces favorite Web sites and easily switch users with the touch of a finger. Just place your finger on the keyboard's fingerprint reader when a password or username is required"

Well, that's write on the box...

Now lets's open it.

Inside the box I found the Keyboard, an detachable Palm Rest, the Mouse, the Mouse Receiver, 2 AA Batteries, an Quick Start Guide and 2 Software CD ( one with DigitalPersona Password Manager and one with IntelliType Pro and IntelliPoint software ).

I was quite deceived when I saw the Mouse Receiver. I didn't expected to find it, because, I believe, it was quite easy to include it in the Keyboard. But, Microsoft sells, in fact, 2 differents products in one package.

After reading the Quick Start Guide, I connect the Mouse Receiver and the Keyboard ( both uses USB connection - note that if using an USB hub it should be an powered one ) and I start the Computer. Well, it freeze just when starting Windows. The reason is the missing driver for the Fingerprint Reader. Microsoft says that you have to install first DigitalPersona Password Manager, but don't say to do this with the OLD Keyboard, if you already have the sistem installed. So I've conect the old Keyboard, installed the Password Manager and reconnect Microsoft Keyboard. Of course all the replacements with the computer shut down. Now everything was fine. The Mouse and Keyboard were recognized by Windows XP.

Note that when making an clean install of Windows XP, there is no problem with the FingerPrint Reader.

After restarting Windows, I've used the second CD to install Microsoft software. There is no need to install it, but only after this instalation you can use the Mouse and Keyboard to their full potential. That because you need the software if you want to cofigure the supplementary keyboard buttons, or to assign differents jobs to Mouse buttons.

And you need this, because the keyboard couples the by-now-familiar multimedia controls - audio volume and mute, play/pause, stop, and next/previous track buttons, programmable buttons for opening folders or launching programs such as My Documents and Calculator, including five "My Favorites" keys at top center plus a starred key that pops up a menu of the five faves. The F-keys are also enhanced to provide dual functionality. For instance, when the F-Lock is off, the F2 and F3 buttons serve as undo and redo. Is also intersting that the keyboard has an standard layout, instead of other Microsoft Keyboards. An minus is that there is no "Shut Down" key, only a "Sleep" one.

The bundle comes with a Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0 - the symmetrical best of Microsoft's Tilt Wheel Technology, with horizontal, as well as vertical scrolling.You have also the posibility to assign the mouse buttons different functions in different applications, so that clicking the scroll wheel, for example, can serve as the missing Back button in Internet Explorer but as Undo in Word.

Now, about the FingerPrint Reader... Surprise... When installing the Password Manager, you can read in the disclaimer that this "is not a security feature and is intended to be used for convenience only. It should not be used to access corporate networks or protect sensitive data, such as financial information."

To be short, at this moment, is just an experimental gadget!

In fact, it could help you because you don't need to write passwords such " sde435#Gh$ ", but doesn't replace the passwords. Also you cannot use it in local networks, when you need an user and pass to connect to an server. However, who knows the future, as Microsoft says that the new Windows Vista will have biometric support.

Unfortunately there is no, or limited functionality with non-Microsoft software. Try to use it with Firefox...

About the recognition capabilities, in 9 from 10 tries it will recognise your fingerprint. As an hint for better use of it, you should always register 2 of your fingers. Also it's best to try the following registration method:

• First registration - put your finger directly on the reader. Do not move it.
• Second registration - put your finger directly on the reader, but this time at an 10 degrees angle.
• Third registration - put your finger directly on the reader, but this time at an opposite 10 degrees angle.
• Fourth registration - put your finger directly on the reader, slowly rotating it from left to right.

All tests done, more or less, there are the final results:

As an conclusion, the Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader is an intersting product, especially for those wich love gadgets and sci-fi. If you ignore the Fingerprint Reader, you have an good PC control center, not recomeded for gamers, as the Mouse is not the best choice for them, but for business use. Also, you must consider the price, perhapse an other solution, without FingerPrint Reader is cheaper.